United Kingdom - Scotland • Private client
1

Agriculture and estates

Brodies LLP

More informationMore information

Praised for its ‘unrivaled knowledge’ of the sector, Brodies LLP‘s rural business practice has a deep and experienced bench with demonstrable strength across the agricultural landscape. The team advises landed estates, rural businesses, developers and public sector entities on the full spectrum of agricultural matters, including complex and high-value transactions. Clive Phillips heads the team and has a solid track record advising on large estates and commercial rural matters. Now a consultant, Odell Milne is a key contact for compulsory purchase matters, most notably those pertaining to rail and road projects. Alex Buchan takes point on agricultural tenancies issues, Kate McLeish handles agricultural holdings matters, while Graeme Leith is a key contact for forestry clients and investors. Karren Smith acts for clients in the Highlands. Associate Andrew Askew Blain is another key member of the team.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The Brodies team provides an excellent service in a manner that is friendly, frank and honest.’

  • ‘The Brodies team is led by Clive Phillips and supported by Andrew Askew Blain. Both have stood out in their particular specialisms and all have had a focus on closing deals.’

  • ‘Kate McLeish's legal knowledge in navigating a challenging project was outstanding. At all times, we felt we were in safe hands with good advice given and a trusted relationship built. With little legal knowledge ourselves, complex issues were explained clearly. The project grew as it became clear, that having legal protections in place were vital. We were so grateful for Kate going above and beyond, the reassurance her work has given us is invaluable.’

  • ‘I have found Graeme Leith to be extremely approachable and knowledgeable on any topic around managing our estate. More often than not, he goes above and beyond what is expected and delivers on time. Pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Great depth of experience in a large team.’

  • ‘The Brodies team has an unrivaled knowledge of the agriculture and estates discipline. They have a can-do attitude, and no issue or timescales seem to ever be a problem. In terms of value for money, they cannot be faulted. Highly recommend.’

  • ‘Kate McLeish has a comprehensive knowledge of agricultural legislation and practice. Karren Smith is very experienced in land agency and renewables agreements, leases and property transactions. Both are very good at dealing with clients with excellent interpersonal skills.’

  • ‘Clive Phillips is an experienced and practical adviser with a good understanding of key issues and commercial outcomes. Andrew Askew Blain is a very capable and articulate associate, who quickly gets to the core of the issues and provides concise and understandable advice.’

Key clients

  • Gladstone Family – Scottish Estates.
  • Innes Estates/Innes Trading Company Limited
  • Bagger-Sorensen Group
  • Glen Tanar Estate/Michael Bruce
  • Andrew Booth/Savock Farms
  • Cooke Aquaculture
  • Ben Alder Estate
  • Seafield & Reidhaven Estates
  • Dunecht Estates
  • 2 Sisters Ltd
  • Co-op
  • Scottish Woodlands
  • Marine Harvest/ Cooke Aquaculture
  • Scottish Land & Estates
  • Andrew Graham and Sons
  • Jacobs
  • West Lothian Council
  • Perth & Kinross Council

Work highlights

  • Assisted two clients with the purchase of a prestigious historic castle and original walled garden forming a residential, agricultural and forestry low-ground estate in the Angus Glens.
  • Assisted an international client with the purchase of the historic Rossie Priory.
  • Assisted Kenmore Hospitality Limited with the purchase of Glenlyon Estate, involving a sporting estate and a hydro scheme.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Clive Phillips
Hall of fameBrodies LLP
Clive heads the Rural Business team at Brodies and acts for a wide range of landed estates and farming clients. Clive acts regularly for offshore clients with rural property in Scotland, as well as for a very active domestic client base. He has an in-depth knowledge of the rural sector as an accredited specialist in agricultural law, and as a family farm business owner. Clive is frequently instructed on diversification projects, such as wind farms, anaerobic digester and solar farm projects. He has a particular interest in new business structures in commercial agriculture and has been instigative in the promotion of share farming and joint venture arrangements to the sector. Understanding the interaction of land ownership, rural business and succession enables Clive to advise effectively on structuring farming rural businesses in order to provide strategic succession planning advice. Clive is regularly instructed to troubleshoot disputed agricultural holdings and other contentious situations in the rural sector.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Odell Milne
Brodies LLP
Odell is widely known as a specialist in compulsory purchase and agricultural and rural affairs. She is accredited as a specialist in agricultural law by the Law Society of Scotland.Odell advises on all aspects of rural and agricultural law for a wide range of estate clients representing some of the largest landowners in Scotland. She also advises public bodies and private individuals with regard to compulsory purchase matters, in particular in relation to rail and road projects.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Kate McLeish
Brodies LLP
Kate acts for landed estates, farmers and agri-businesses across Scotland and deals with a wide range of rural property matters, including land sales and acquisitions, leases, fishings and sportings and complex voluntary registrations. Kate acts for landed estates, farmers and agri-businesses across Scotland and deals with a wide range of rural property matters, including land sales and acquisitions, leases, fishings and sportings and complex voluntary registrations.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Clive Phillips

Other key lawyers

Kate McLeish, Graeme Leith, Odell Milne, Alex Buchan, Andrew Askew Blain, Karren Smith

© 2024 Legalease Ltd. All rights reserved

Registered company in England & Wales No. 2423756 VAT 324572722

Registered address: 188 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AG